Entry-Level Inside Sales Representative
We're seeking a recent college graduate or early-career professional who is interested in building a long-term career in sales. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong customer service experience, excellent communication skills, and a positive attitude who is eager to learn, develop professionally, and grow within the company. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, self-motivated, and enjoys building relationships while providing exceptional customer service.
Job Description
The Inside Sales Representative I role focuses on providing exceptional customer service, supporting daily sales activities, and building strong foundational knowledge of metal products, services, systems, and operations. You will handle inbound customer inquiries, prepare quotes, process orders, and assist with pricing, delivery coordination, buyouts, and value-added processing. Under the guidance of experienced sales associates and leadership, you will develop the skills needed to independently manage customer accounts and contribute to profitable sales growth in a stable and growing industry.
Responsibilities
Respond to inbound customer inquiries regarding products, pricing, availability, and order status in a timely and professional manner.
Provide phone coverage throughout the day, expedite orders when necessary, and proactively support customer needs.
Build and maintain positive customer relationships, escalating complex issues to tenured team members when appropriate.
Prepare accurate basic quotations for customers, ensuring pricing, terms, and product details are clearly documented.
Process customer orders with a high level of attention to detail, verifying product codes, quantities, and specifications.
Coordinate with internal departments to support timely and accurate order fulfillment, including delivery coordination and processing requirements.
Develop a solid understanding of pricing structures, margins, and profitability to support sound sales decisions.
Learn the buyout process and obtain vendor pricing for non-stock material, following established procedures and guidelines.
Prepare basic buyout and value-added processing quotes under the guidance of experienced sales staff.
Quote standard saw cutting and coordinate routine processing needs, ensuring all instructions are clear and precise.
Escalate complex sourcing or processing requirements to appropriate team members or leadership when needed.
Develop knowledge of the company's metal products, services, systems, and industry applications across sectors such as aerospace, defense, industrial, power, and medical.
Support customer retention efforts by providing reliable service and contributing to account development and sales opportunities.
Maintain accurate customer and sales information in company systems, including ERP and CRM tools, to ensure data integrity and traceability.
Collaborate with the sales team to identify opportunities for growth and potential transitions to outside sales as skills and experience increase.
Manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively, wearing multiple hats as needed in a fast-paced environment.
Uphold a positive, professional, and motivated presence that aligns with a service-oriented, customer-first culture.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree (BA) or equivalent education.
At least 6 months of experience in customer service, order processing, sales support, or a closely related role.
Strong customer service skills with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally by phone and email.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, for daily sales and administrative tasks.
Ability to work with purchase orders and understand basic order processing workflows.
Foundational account management and inside sales support experience, including quoting and follow-up.
Comfort working in or learning ERP systems; any ERP experience is considered a plus.
Excellent phone presence, with the ability to engage customers, listen actively, and convey information confidently.
High level of attention to detail, especially when working with a large volume of product codes and technical information.
Strong self-motivation and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and adapt to changing priorities.
Positive, service-oriented attitude that aligns with a friendly, welcoming, and customer-centric culture.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in metals, manufacturing, distribution, or industrial sales environments is beneficial but not required.
Familiarity with quoting processes for value-added services such as saw cutting or other processing is an advantage.
Ability to learn complex product lines and applications across industries such as space, commercial aerospace, defense, industrial, power, and medical.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong internal and external relationships.
Interest in career growth within sales, including potential future opportunities in outside sales.
Comfort working in a fast-paced environment where accuracy and timeliness are critical.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
Enthusiasm for working in a team-oriented environment and contributing to a positive workplace culture.
Work Environment
This is a 100% onsite opportunity with a growing metals distribution company serving industries such as aerospace, defense, medical, and manufacturing. You'll work alongside a small sales team in a fast-paced environment where attention to detail is critical. The company offers long-term growth potential and is looking for motivated individuals with strong customer service skills, a positive attitude, and a desire to grow into an Account Manager role. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, adaptable, and thrive in a customer-focused environment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Santa Fe Springs, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $31.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Santa Fe Springs,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com (%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com) for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
